Container closing mechanism



April 25, 1939 J. E. WOLLENWEBER COIJ'IAINER CLOSING MECHANISM 17, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov.

Apr 1939- J. E. WOLLENWEBER CONTAINER CLOSING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 17, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A9151 1939? J, E. WOLLENWEBER 2,156,037

CONTAINER CLOSING MECHANISM v Filed Nov. 17, 1936 3Shee7ts-Sheet ,3

Patented Apr. 25, 1939 poration of Ohio Application Novemberli. 1930; Serial a new 6 Claims. (01. 98-6) This invention relates to mechanism for closing the ends of containers and'particularly to mechanism for folding the collapsible ends oi tubular paper containers of the type disclosed in 5 Patent No. 2,047,891 issued in the narne'oi Henry T. Scott.

In the patent Just referred to is disclosed a container, rectangular ingress-section, which is fabricated of relativeiy stlf! paper, being selfsupporting and havingthe necessary strength to render it suitable for usein the storage, transportation anddistribution of liquids, such for instance as mills; The container is fabricated from a flat blank by folding operations, the blank 1 being divided into'panel sections by score lines about which lines the several panels are folded in the formation of the container. The container bottom may be of anysuitable construction and is of course closed prior to introduction 5 into the container of. any liquidgor other material with which the container is charged. The top oropposite end of the container is, however, left open until after charging and foldable end portion comprising a plurality of relativelyfoldable panels which are adapted to be manipulated after the container is charged into the form oi a peaked structure with a central transverse rib which structure not only forms a liquid and air-tight sealfor the congo taine'r top but is of suchi nature as to readily withstand the shocks and strains incident to. transportation and handling of the container after it has been charged. Just prior to charging of the container it is coated exteriorly and a interiorly with a coating substance which prevents the penetration of liquid into the paper fibers of the container walls and furthermore the foldableend closure is preferably subjected to a partial folding operation, the score lines 0 intermediate the panels being thus redefined subsequently to the application of the coating substance. q

Final closure of the fold'able extension is effected by collapsing two opposed collapsible 4g walls of this fextension, folding toward each other and the axis of the container the other two walls, folding two end flaps which project from these last mentioned foldable walls, andthereafter breaking down the foldable walls to form go the central transverse rib. After compression of the rib and the inserti'on oi a suitable staple or other securing device, the closure operation is complete. V

The several operations above described may be gs performed by hand or upon an automatically includes a,

operating machine having'a number of mentallties for successively acting "the" foldable ,end' of the container to bringfabout the desired closure. In accordance with the present n w n s o ide to: eut mij a: s

cally performing the successive operations which must necessarily be performed upon the feldable end extension of the container and withles's likelihood of error than mechanism heretofore designed or 'sugsested for-this purpose; j 10 "In accordance with the presentinvention the containers, after being charged, are movedjalong' a predetermined path by a suitable typeIof con veyor mechanism, the movement being 'prei'erably continuous and folding instrumentalities positioned adiaceritthe path ofujnovement of the containers contacting withthe severalv per 'tions of the foidable container end while the container is in transit and gradually eii'eoting the folding of thecontainerendvas"itmoves. container end, when it finally disengages the in; strumentalities Just referred to. is completely folded and closed and in condition to be finally sealed {and stapled. The folding 'in'strumentali ties to which I have Just referred comprisee g as I tially elongated. cam memberi disposedgenerally parallel to the path of movement of thefcontainer, there being a'iplurality' of'suoh elongated cams and all of: which cooperate in the folding of the several panels of the container and in the desired sequence. I

-In the accompanying drawings oneform of mechanism for eil'ecting the folding and closure of the foldable endoi'a container of the type de- I scribed is illustrated and will be hereinafter described in detail. 'It will be. appr iated-by one skilled in the art that there may be changes in the design and arrangement of'the folding instrumentalities. withoutdeparture-frozn the invention, as maybe necessitated by minor changes in the designof-the foldable container and that the drawings illustrate only onev form oi the invention, selected for disclosure by way of example. is

In the drawings:

,Figurel Isa "vertical'axial section throughth container top closing mechanism; I

' Figures is a top plan'view of the mechanism illustrated in Figure 1;, the'casing or cover for the. 50 mechanism. howevenhaving been removed in order that the foldin'gmemb'ers might be clearly perceived;

Figure 8'is an endview of the apparatus, as seen from the left (Figural): ,gg

Figures! andt are sectionson line 4-4 and H respectivelyof figur I Figure 6 is a perspective view of a container which hasbeen charged and is ready for final closing;

Figure lgis a perspective view of a charged and fully closed container;

.Figure -8 is a transverse section through the central transverse rib .of the closed container shown in Figure 7; and

Figures .9 to 1'7 inclusive illustrate diagrammatically successive positions of the container end panels as the folding operations are carried out.

The container illustrated in Figures '6 and 7 comprises a rectangular body portion il,a'bottom not illustrated) and a foldable endportion indicated generally at i i. v'ihefoldable endportion in'turn comprises opposed "foldable sides I! and opposed collapsible sides, one of which is indicated at I3. Endflapsproiecting upwardly from the foldable sides 42 are indicatedat i2 and 12 respectively. The rib R of the completed con-- tainer includes the end flaps :i2' and 12', after folding, and also the panels at! .of the sides 12, intermediate score lines o, b and the panels i3 and ll of the collapsible sides ll of the end extension. The peaked structure shown in Figure 7, which is surmounted :by the rib Rjcomprises panels 12 of foldable sides i2 (only one of which panels-is illustrated) lying between score lines D and c and three triangular panels I3 I3 and ll of each .of the collapsible sides 13.

To effect the various folding operations the container is moved along a predetermined path and past stationary :cam members which effect the desired folding operations, the container-being preferably positioned upon a conveyor which moves in past the folding members at a; steady uniform rate. The conveyor is illustrated'diagrammatically in Figures 1 and 3 :but need not bedescribed in detail since various types of conveyors may be employed. It is to be preferred, however, that a conveyor having spaced container engaging and gripping members I! be provided, for engaging opposed side walls of the container near the bottom thereof, and also that the conveying mechanism include members, such as indicated at ii, forengaging the rear or following wall faces of the several containers and to support the container against rearward tilting movement as it moves past the'closing-instrumentalities. Members ii are suitably mounted upon horizontally disposed links H which are in turn mounted upon chains l3 diagrammatically'shown in Figure 3 and are guided in chainways l3. Container supporting rails are indicated at and the conveyor chain upon which container gripping members ii are supported and carried is indicated generally .at 2|, this chain being carried in suitable recesses formed in rails 20.

It will be appreciated that the mechanism for closing the container ends, which comprises the subject matter of the present invention, forms portion of a larger and completely automatic machine for forming, coating, charging, closing, and sealing the containers, although it may be independently operated if desired. Hence the frame upon which the several parts of the closing mechanism are supported mayhave any one of anumber of different forms. 'In the present instance the various container closing instrumentalities are permanently secured to a frame which comprises the cross members and 28 which '1 may in turn be attached to any suitable base or support, the longitudinally extending members 2i and 23, their endsof'which are integral with or rigidly secured to the cross members 25 and 26,

and the transversely extending arched members "and-33, the ends of which are rigid with the longitudinal members 21 and 23.

A plurality of containers are indicated diagrammatically at C in Figure l of the drawings and by means of the .conveyor mechanism above briefly described, orany other suitable conveyor mechanism, the containers are steadily advanced 7 through the frame comprising members 21, 23,

'29 and 30 in the direction of thearrow A shown in Figure 1. Suitably secured within this frame are the stationary folding members for effecting the folding and closure of each successive container, these members being either directly fastened to the frame or indirectly by means of brackets, the specific mounting means being immaterial. Two of these folding members, which are in the nature of stationary cams, are indi- 1 ,cated at 32 and 33 respectively and it is by means of these opposed members that the sides 12 of each container are successively rocked or folded toward'each other about score lines C as the containers progress in the direction indicated by the arrowA. V

From .Figures 9' to 1'7 of the drawings it will be perceived that'these side folding operations are steadily progressing as a container is moved through the apparatus, the'ends 32 and 33' of these cam members first engaging the sidesi2 of a container, at or adjacent the upper margins of these sides, as the container enters the appa- V ratus, and as indicated in Figure 9. Cams" and 33 are disposed angularl-y to the path of movement of the container with the result that the upper edges of sides l2 are eventually brought together, as shown in Figure 1'1, through the action of these cams 32 and, to form a peaked structure. Duringthis time, of course, the opposed collapsible sides l3 of the container are forcibly collapsed, the collapsing of these sides,

progressing uniformly as the sides l2 are progressively folded-p v The container "end flap l2 must, however, be inserted within the open mouth of the container prior to the completion of the folding operations performed on .the'side walls l2 and to effect the inward folding of flap I2 a cam member 35 is provided, this cam being so'supported and shaped as to deflect inwardly and then downwardly the endflap l2, as may be readily perceived from an inspection of Figures 9 to 16 of the drawings. Prior to the time that the side walls i2 of the end closure are caused to meet along the upper edges. as shown in Figure 17, there'nd flap l2 has been completely inserted within the container, the flap and wall folding operations occurring concurrently although, as maybe readily perceived from an inspection of Figures 1 and 2, the flap folding cam 35 need not be coextensive in length with the side folding cams 32 and 33.

Overlapping the terminal ends of the side folding cams 32 and 33 also, as shown in Figure 2, are the rib forming cams 36 and 31, also the cam 33 for folding downwardly and over the rib the remaining and flap I2. As a container emerges from between cams 32 and 33 it is'engaged by thethree folding cams 36, 3 1 and 38, cams 36 and 31 being at an elevation above the conveyor to contact the inclined walls I2 of the container at approximately the score lines D and it being the function ofthese-'cams to break down the sides "of the foldable extension and to bring panels, I25) of these: sides: into. parallelism;. thus:- iorming; a rib" comprising; inaddition to. parallel; ;panels. I2? the-endl'flap' l2! and'the' panels I1;

and I 8' of theacollapsiblesides; I 32 0f" the-:end: ex-- tension. During: thisrib iormingioperation the: stationary cam member 38-isr-acting upon the :end; flap I2 and-to foldithis:end fiapvdownwardly over andi into. parallelism: with the panel 1'. I25 01; the-:side I 2 .to: whichathe him: I 22 15 .not. connected,.. as indicated in Figure 8 in' the-.='drawings;-; In-Flgtires 4 and 17" the; rib f orming cams areillustrate formed. Upon-emergence; ,the' rib is vengagewbw additional instrumentalities. (not; illustrateill= which. maintainitinthe; condition-in which itris"; delivered and: further: act uponz'it' to. seal? andv staplethe same. 1

As willibe perceived from anyinapectionzofiFigi-- ures land 4, rollers. areadapted to engage-the:

lower margins" of the inclined" panels- Iii-just? prior to emergence-of. a container. from .theziold ing' apparatus,:.it being:the=function 01.; theselrollr ers to act upon these panels,-closelyadjacent;- the. score lines c'andi to: stress th'f'paperratthezz score'linesc. so as to cause the=panelsl ii-andi'the:

. sides ID to intersect at aasharpmngleethezrpaper: at the. score lines c: being;broknxdownzslightly by=the action-10f thezrollerszso that the resultant closed container has sharp: well defined} angles Thezrollers 40 are-amount!- ed upon members 4| which are renewed: within apertures formed in brackets 42 rigid with" the; frame members 21- and .28: The rollerss maybe: elevated or depressed by the. manipulation 01 ads along opposite edges.

lusting screws 43,. positioned" in suitable.- apertures' in the frame andthaving threaded; engages ment with members: a

As previouslyobserved" thelmechanism; above. described. may form a-portionv only of acompl'ete;

automatic container forming; charging 'and,clos-- ing machine; although not necessarily so; It is" contemplated, howeventhat in: the. usual case thecontainers will be coated witha suitable liq uid proofing substance such. as. paraffin. orrt'he like, prior to: being subjected-to a: closing ;-opera;--

tion, which substance. is-liquid .when. heated; and? solidifies uponcooling. Just: prior to; charging: also the containerrtoldableend may1-a1so2be, andzf preferably is, subjected. to; ascore .linearedefiningi;

operation such as may be carriedout: byl'means .oi the mechanism: disclosed. in. Patent" Nos,

2,056,330 granted October: 6, 1936; From; this"! mechanism the container is: deliveredinzthe.-par-- tially closed condition in. which'itisillustratedi in Figure 6 of. the drawings, no attemphhaving been-made, however; to show the parafll'n coating; As the coated container passes" through the;

closing. mechanism illustrated-it maybezioundf desirable to soften certain: portions of the coat-- ing, to facilitate; flexing, of? the panel's aboutthm scorelines or to. soften the-, coating: on= certaim panels just prior; to the. time i of contact: off-such:

panels with otherpanels-in the formation of "the central transverse rib. A more closely bonded. and more solid rib is thus. obtained. In con:

junction withthe folding cams above described, 7

I; employ. one such coating softeningdevice; and

may employ;- others .ifj it appears advantageous.

Thisdevice is. indicated: at H; being mountedupon the;-fiap;folding.cam 35L .llssentially it is-a heater and is soconnectedto the cam. that this cam. .is--also-heatcd; ,Justpriorv to'the time that container: flap l2 isbroughtinto contact with the panel m off't'heopposite side of the foldable endttextension therefor; the coatingu'pon the end flapwll'l issoftened and better. bondingof the two panels-results; Other :heatersmay be placed elsewhereaon the. folding camsto effect: similar results. Thedetailsof. construction of the heater Himaybe varied widely and steam, electricity or otherheatingmedium, employed, the heater com- .municating witha suitable source of" such medium: byrmeansxof .a tubular. conduith. Having; thus. described the invention, what is claimed? as new' and;v desired to be. secured by.

Iietters; B'atent: isz.

1"; ,Mechanism for' closing: the: end of a. tubularcontainenhavinga foldable' end; portion, .comprising stationary-opposedjicamr members for en.-

gaging; and-folding; toward" the container axis two opposite sidesof? said; end portion. as the container'is moved longitudinally oi said cammembers; and.a: third cam. memberfor folding and bending-downwardly into the open mouth of the. container: a: closure. flap projecting from one 01" saictsides; r 1

2;. Mechanism: forxclosing. the. end of a tubular container having a foldable. end portion, comprising-stationary opposed-1 cam members for engaging." andi folding. toward each other and the container: axis: two opposite sides of said end portionv to. form: a peaked structure as the container; iszmoved; longitudinally of said cam. mem-- bers,-, and: a third: cammember for engaging a.

closure, flap: projecting. from one of said sides and-:iolding; the same into the'container mouth prior: to. the" completion of said peaked; structure by itherflrst: mentioned .cammembers;

3': Meohanismior closing the end of a tubular container-having a: foldabl'e end portion with onposed" foldable sides. and; end: flaps projecting therefrom; respectively; comprising stationary camsd'or: folding-the:- sides toward the container BIX'iS tO'fOImIB; peakedstructure, as the container moved: longitudinally ofthe cams,,and additional stationary cams for folding theend flaps, one-flap into-the container between said sides and theother-flap over the outer surface ofthe side to which itis notattached. v s

it: In a: mechanism for'closing. the end of a. previously scored; partially closed, coated tubu-- larrcontainer: having. afoldable top portion, two groups: oi; fixed? cam members, the container engagingsurfaces-oijwhich'are inclined both vertically? and: horizontally to the. direction of. containenmovementr the-wflrst" of. said groups comprising. apairoffelongated opposed cam members acting; upon the sides of. the foldable portion. of

the container; a relatively shorter cam. member acting upon; the; extended portion oi: one side of the container whereby'said. portion is inserted within; the foldable portion. of the-container before; the. ends thereof. are brought; into, intimate engagement with each: other, aheating element secured to: said: shorter; cam member: by means of; which thev coating: material. of said: container is: softened; before: the other extended; portion of i the; container is brought into intimate engagement with the partially closed container, the

secondfoi" said groups comprising. a pair of cam. members engaging. the side walls of the partially folded portion of the container wherebythe opposite side walls of the container are brought into intimate engagement with each other and a relatively longer cam member of tapering inverted U section which engages the said other extended portion of the container folding it over 7 the top of the first extended portion.

5. A mechanism for closing the open ends 01" previously scored tubular containers byrelatively folding the end panels thereof, said mechanism comprising a conveyor having gripping elements for engaging the body of a container and advancing the same along a predetermined path, fixed folding members positioned to engage the relatively foldable end panels thereof and fold said panels, and opposed rollers rotatably mounted laterally of said flxed path for rotation about axes disposed transversely of said path I and in position to directly engage and deflect predetermined areas of the foldable portions of successively presented containers, moving along said path. to more sharply define the corners aioaos'r I I formed by angularly disposed adjacent panels of I such containers.

6. A mechanism for. closing the open ends of previously scored tubular containers by relatively folding the end panels thereof, said mechanism comprising a conveyor having gripping elements for engaging the. body of" a container and -adflxed' folding. members positioned to engage the relatively foldable endpanels thereof and fold said panels, andv opposed rollers rotatably 'vancing' the same along a predetermined path,

mounted on opposite sldesaof said path respecformed by angularly disposed adjacent panels of g such containers.

JULIUS E. WOLLENWEBER. 

